In this week's episode we talk about the bridge between Denmark and Sweden and how it means a lot more to one of our panelists than the sore feet she got after running across it. 

We also discuss what foreigners do to fit in in Sweden and why some people push back against assimilation.

Host Paul O'Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists Becky Waterton and Richard Orange. 

Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:

• Why the Bridge Run between Sweden and Denmark meant so much to me

• 'Sometimes I explode inside': How foreigners in Sweden become more Swedish to fit in
• Ten signs you're becoming more Swedish than the Swedes

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In this week's episode you can hear a conversation that editor Emma Löfgren had recently for our My Swedish Career series with Elizabeth Wright Veintimilla, a social impact professional from Ecuador who moved to Sweden when her husband got a job here.

In the interview, Emma asks Elizabeth about her first impressions of Sweden, how she created a vibrant professional network from scratch, and what advice she would give others about moving to Sweden and making a life here. 

MY SWEDISH CAREER:

• 'You can influence the way people behave towards foreigners'
• INTERVIEW: 'You don't want me in Sweden? Yeah, sure, I don't care'
• My Swedish Career: 'Try to understand how the Swedish system works'

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In this week's episode we talk about how to make the most of Sweden’s Midsummer celebrations, and we look at big changes to Sweden’s work permit system — including a new rule that could help you stay in the country if you lose your job.

For Membership+ subscribers we explore why Swedes are dropping traditional surnames, racism in Swedish nightclubs, and why party leaders have been reprimanded after calling for a slow down in citizenship processing.

Host Richard Orange is joined this week by regular panelists Becky Waterton and James Savage. 

Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:

• Donate to The Local

• How Sweden wants to make it easier to change employers on a work permit
• Sweden set to double three-month deadline for (some) laid-off work permit holders

• Why is Midsummer's Eve celebrated in Sweden?
• The seven bizarre traditions that make up Swedish Midsummer

Sign up now and get early, ad-free access to a full-length episode of the Sweden in Focus podcast every weekend, as well as Sweden in Focus Extra every Wednesday.

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• For new members: Get Membership+ 

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This week we talk about a new alcohol law that came into force this month and what it means for consumers.

And why has a government inquiry proposed banning international adoptions and apologising to adoptees.

Host Paul O'Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists Becky Waterton and Richard Orange. 

Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:

• What Sweden's new alcohol law means for buyers and producers

• Swedish inquiry calls for official state apology to international adoptees

Sign up now and get early, ad-free access to a full-length episode of the Sweden in Focus podcast every weekend, as well as Sweden in Focus Extra every Wednesday.

Please visit the link that applies to you and get a 40% discount on Membership+

• For signed-in members: Upgrade to Membership+
• For new members: Get Membership+ 

Read more about Membership+ in our help centre.

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In this week's episode we ask why Swedish politicians are becoming more critical of Israel over the war in Gaza.

We also discuss the government's plans to develop new kinds of pre-approved houses to make it easier for people to buy their own homes.

Host Paul O'Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists Becky Waterton and Richard Orange. 

Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:

• Sweden to summon Israeli ambassador to protest Israel blocking aid to Gaza
• Sweden calls for EU sanctions targeting 'individual Israeli ministers'
• How Israel's invasion of Gaza became Swedish party politics again

• Why the 'Sverigehus' is a warning for the Sweden Democrats' future

Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock.

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This week we have the latest on the citizenship freeze amid signs of a thaw and we ask: Why has there been so little interest in this story from the Swedish media?

We also look at a hotly debated new law criminalising the purchase of sex online.

Host Paul O'Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists Emma Löfgren and Richard Orange. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:

• Sweden's Migration Agency to handle oldest citizenship cases first after criticism
• How will Sweden's new personal ID checks for citizenship work?
• Swedish MP says citizenship freeze is 'what the government wanted'
• Citizenship freeze 'makes a mockery of all those who call Sweden their home'
• Inside Sweden: If you want citizenship to mean something, this is not how to do it

• How Sweden's new 'OnlyFans law' bans procuring custom-made online porn

Sign up now and get early, ad-free access to a full-length episode of the Sweden in Focus podcast every weekend, as well as Sweden in Focus Extra every Wednesday.

Please visit the link that applies to you and get a 40% discount on Membership+

• For signed-in members: Upgrade to Membership+
• For new members: Get Membership+ 
• Read more about Membership+ in our help centre.

Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock.

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In this week's episode we talk about why Stockholm is at loggerheads with the US Embassy over anti-diversity demands and we examine a scathing new report on how Sweden’s immigration policies are harming foreign researchers.

For Membership+ subscribers we look at the ongoing saga of Sweden’s failed attempt to appoint a national security advisor after the latest pick for the job stepped down within hours over leaked photos from the Grindr app.

We also have more from last week’s interview with the migration minister, Johan Forssell, and we look into why the Migration Agency rejected an unusually high number of citizenships applications in April.

Host Paul O'Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists Becky Waterton and James Savage. 

Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:

• How to prepare for a water shortage in Sweden this summer

• Stockholm v Trump: 'If US embassy wanted a building permit, they would have a problem'
• 'Completely bizarre': Stockholm hits back at US embassy's anti-DEI contract

• Sweden's university union slams 'exploitative' migration policy
• Five things Sweden should do to attract foreign researchers

Sign up now and get early, ad-free access to a full-length episode of the Sweden in Focus podcast every weekend, as well as Sweden in Focus Extra every Wednesday.

Please visit the link that applies to you and get a 40% discount on Membership+

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• For new members: Get Membership+ 
• Read more about Membership+ in our help centre.

Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock.

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In this week's episode we talk about Sweden’s chances of winning the Eurovision Song Contest for a record-breaking eighth time with KAJ's song Bara Bada Bastu.

On a related note, we immerse ourselves in sauna culture and the Swedish language as it’s spoken in Finland.

We discuss new comments from Sweden’s migration minister, Johan Forssell, on the three-month deadline for job seekers on work permits and how he’s taking inspiration from Finland when it comes to attracting highly skilled workers to Sweden.

Host Paul O'Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists Emma Löfgren and Richard Orange. 

Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:

• Why Sweden's bizarre sauna hit could actually win Eurovision
• What do the lyrics of Sweden's Eurovision entry Bara Bada Bastu actually mean?

• Kiva! Seven unique Finland Swedish words the world needs to know

• 'Bara bada bastu': The ultimate guide to Swedish sauna etiquette

• Swedish Migration Minister: 'No formal decision' made on future work permit salary threshold
• 'Enormous potential': How Sweden's migration minister wants to attract international talent
• OPINION:  Want to make Sweden more attractive, Johan Forssell? Listen to those already here
• OPINION:  Sweden needs to reconsider 'three-month deadline' for laid-off non-EU workers

Sign up now and get early, ad-free access to a full-length episode of the Sweden in Focus podcast every weekend, as well as Sweden in Focus Extra every Wednesday.

Please visit the link that applies to you and get a 40% discount on Membership+

• For signed-in members: Upgrade to Membership+
• For new members: Get Membership+ 

Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock.

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In this week’s episode we talk about the surprise resignation of the Liberal Party leader Johan Pehrson.

Ten years on from the arrival of record numbers of refugees we also look at how Sweden reacted to the 2015 crisis how how its approach to asylum immigration has changed since then.

Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists Becky Waterton and Richard Orange. 

Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:

• Swedish education minister and Liberal leader Johan Pehrson resigns

• 2015 ARCHIVE: Refugee centres packed as cold winter calls
• 2015 ARCHIVE: Sweden split over move to tighten asylum rules

Sign up now and get early, ad-free access to a full-length episode of the Sweden in Focus podcast every weekend, as well as Sweden in Focus Extra every Wednesday.

Please visit the link that applies to you and get a 40% discount on Membership+

• For signed-in members: Upgrade to Membership+
• For new members: Get Membership+ 

Read more about Membership+ in our help centre.

• Already have Membership+ but not receiving all the episodes? Go to the podcast tab on your account page to activate your subscription. 

Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock.

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In this week's episode we talk about the possibility of there being a Swedish pope and the state of Catholicism in Sweden today. We also dive into the history of Sweden’s Valborg celebrations and why bonfires will be lit across Sweden on the last day of the month.

For Membership+ subscribers we jump forward a day to the first of May and what to expect on the public holiday that is Labour Day.

We discuss what to make of a recent burst of activity from the Social Democrats, the party most closely associated with May Day in Sweden.

Finally, with the deadline for filing taxes coming up next week, we give some last minute tips before checking out what readers of The Local are telling us are the most annoying things about Swedish bureaucracy.

Host Paul O'Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists Emma Löfgren and Richard Orange. 

Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:

• What exactly is Swedish Valborg, and where are the best places to celebrate it?

• Could a Swedish cardinal become the next pope?
• 'It would be fun to have a Swedish pope but I think it's pretty unlikely'

Sign up now and get early, ad-free access to a full-length episode of the Sweden in Focus podcast every weekend, as well as Sweden in Focus Extra every Wednesday.

Please visit the link that applies to you and get a 40% discount on Membership+

• For signed-in members: Upgrade to Membership+
• For new members: Get Membership+ 

Read more about Membership+ in our help centre.

Already have Membership+ but not receiving all the episodes? Go to the podcast tab on your account page to activate your subscription. 

Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.